The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-19
Mr.. CONGRESSHANPHELAN
CHARGED WITH POOLING HIS
ISSUES
For the Good OF the Party and 10
Avoid a fractional Fight
In the Future.

Nashville Banner: Mr.. John ]. Lit
I Teton, in his breezy letter to his National
| Repie,o, stated that II vas rumOred In the
Bluff City, on woat seemed TO DO good au
| thority, that Congressman Phelan and Sena.
| tor Harris had pooled their Issues, and
would hereafter act in beautiful Politicsl
harmony. The editor of the Reuielo then OBJ.
served that "if this rumor DO true the object
| of the compromise is easy t. BIO sten. Phulan
| is 10 be renominated for Congress and Will
support Harris for re- collection TO the Senate.
| Whatever may be the basis for the rumor
referred TO, or whether the in,erences and
conclusions drawn by the editor Of the
Repielo are correct or rot, the statement Is
! interesting in view of the recent ahtagon-
isms between Mr.. Phelan and Senator Harris,
and in view of any further fact that the
Avalanche Mr.. Phelan's paper, has not
taken pains TO correct the report OF the Re
visio The Audidnche referred editorially in
its Sunday issue to Mr.. Littleton's letter,
but made no mention OF the most noteworthy
paragraph in that let, er. 80,
The subject may be one of extreme politl-
cal delicacy, or il may DO that Mr.. Phelan' s
absence from Memphis rendered II ADMIRABLE
to avoid reference to the matter until his
return. Yet, as the Avalanche oommenied
upon other features of the Littleton letter,
its silence concerning the most significant
state 1ent In that letter Is likely TO DO &C
copied by the public as an implied admission
of the correctness Of ,hat sot'emeh., ,.n,
\
between Mr.. Harris ana Mr.. Phelan to ayoid
a factional fight within the party would be
| oommendable. if it would NOT involve Q re-
sessiop from correct ll,e OF pahrty policy POLICY
could be made upon the highest plane OF
party policy may be regarded as a doubtful
contamination, Mr.. Phelan and excel
lent journal have been conspicuous IN the
Democratic party In the State. Mr.. Harris
is generally considered the king OF
the machine in Ter nessee, a distinction
which had been accorded him unquesn0n-
binat, on between MIR. Harris and Mr.. Phe-
Ian would necessitate shifting Of position
on the one side or the other, or, II brought
about by mutual cOncossions, would DO at
the expense TO some degree OF ths higher ana
broader views Of which Mr.; Phelan has been
a distinguished exponent Wew would scarce-
ly suspect th I Mr.. Phelan would doh his
cap before MIR. Harris and cry, All hail
king of the mHchinel Neither would
we suppose that Senator Harris would
readily share his political powermwith
another, unless, indeed, q recognition OF
the fact that HE influence is waning might
induce him to look about for fresh political
props within the party.
or condemning any clio to heal up the no
lifical wounds in the Democratic party, up-
on the other hand, VIC have maintained con-
stautlv that the hope Of the perpetuation of
Its power ana COnITOi must uopCuu upuu
n harmoniged organization based upon an
honest, definite sand clear cut line Of
political policy. We are discussing simply
the pecul ar phase of political movement
which is suggested by the report to which |
we have referred, report which may yet be
iii founded and premature. II may DO that |
Mr.. Harris and Mr.. Phelan could harmo.
niously unite in the effort TO preclude local
divisions in tho Tenth District, without any
compromise of views as to methods and |
principles which obtain in the management
of the State organization But should
such LEGAL alliance be formed, |
Il becomes Interesting to inquire what
may be its probable bearing upon the gem
erai management Of the party in Tennessee
The question would become all the more In
teresting in view of recent newspaper |
changes at the capital Of the State Il Is
not our purpose TO assume that these
changes have any relation to the reported
affiliatOn Of Messrs. Harris and Pnelan, |
that they are the part of any general pre-.
con certed plan, or that the different move
monts are tending to develop new antagon-
isms.